Display stand



E. R. ERlcKsoN 2,24%436 DISPLAY STAND "Filed July 3, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY 5 E. R. ERICKSON DISPLAY `STAND July l, 1941.

Filed July 3, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July l, 1941 ZZt'ZABt id titi 'i FME DSTLAY STAND Application July 3, 1939, SeriaLNo. 282,665

(Cl. 24d-2&3)

e Claims.

My invention has reference to that class of devices utilized for displaying food stuffs or other merchandise for sale, as in grocery stores and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide a display fixture having a plurality of shelves in which the inclination of each shelf is individually adjustable.

Another object is to provide such a display fixture in which the projection of each individual shelf, in a horizontal direction, canbe selectivelyy adjusted.

Another object is to provide such a display fixture in which the vertical position of each shelf on the stand can be selectively adjusted.

Another object is to provide such a fixture in which the shelf rail `embodies improvements over older forms.

A further objectlis to provide a structure for a display iixture of the kind described such that the fixture can be easily and cheaply packed and shipped inknock-down condition, and can then be easily set up at destination.

Another object is to provide a structure for such a display xture in which various sizes and styles of shelf members can `be used interchangeably without any changes in the structure.

Another object is to provide a display fixture having a distinctively neat, trim and modern appearance.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement andcombination of the various parts of my device, whereby` the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective View of a display stand embodying-my invention.

Figure .2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure `5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view on the lline 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure f5 is an `enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line t-- of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 3-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure '7.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral l0 to indicate a supporting post, of which there are two in eachdisplay stand. As I have shown, these posts are formed from sheet metal into a cross section having an approximately semi-circular portion l2 and side flanges lli, shown most clearly in Figure 4. This form of cross section gives a supporting member which combines lightness and strength together with attractive appearance, to a very satisfactory degree. At their upper ends the posts l0 may be `rounded ofi, and the portions l2 partially closedto form a smooth top, as I have indicated-at i6 in Figures 1 and 2.

At the lower end ofthe supporting post l0, I ailiX a foot i3 which may be pressed from sheet metal or `made in any other suitable way and clamped toV the bottom of thel post lll. A cross member 2t spaces the feet Ifat the desired distance.

One of the purposes of the display stand is to mount suitable shelves or tray members, such as 22, 24, 2t `and 23, at the proper heights and in the proper relations to each other for effectively displaying merchandise such-as bakery goods or the like. For mounting these shelves and tray members on the posts lll, I provide brackets such as 3d. The bracket 30 consists of a heavy metal plate having an extended tongue portion 32 at one end and having a bent portion Sil at the other end-adapted to iit the inside of the portion I2 of the post lll,` as will be seen inFgure 4.

Coacting with the bracket 3B and the post I0, I provide a clamp plate 36 having a downturned portion 38 along one edge and an upturned portion di! along its oppositeedge. A bolt 42 passes through a countersunk hole fili in the bracket 3i)- and through a hole 46 in the clamp plate 36. A cap nut i8 screwed onto the bolt 42 maintains the bracketi) and the clamp plate 35 in clamped relation on the post I0.

To maintain the clamp plate 36 in lateral position for proper engagement with the post Il] without binding on thebolt, I preferably provide upstruck portions 5B in the bracket 30, which bear against the downturned edge 38 `of theA clamp plate 36, as will be seen most clearly in Figure 5. By loosening the cap nut 48, the bracket Silmay be adjusted to any desired vertical position along the post l0. It will be observed that the bracket assembly is entirely symmetrical, so that it can be removed and assembled on either edge of the post l0 with equal facility. It will be observed that in either case the bracket extends horizontally from the post lil to lie in a plane substantially parallel to` that deiined by the post it and the'foot I3.

In each bracket I form what may be most conveniently referred to as a rst mounting hole, which I form preferably in the end 32 of the bracket spaced from the post it. This arrangement can be most readily seen in Figures 3 and 6, in which I have indicated the first mounting hole by the numeral 52. In each bracket I also provide a plurality of second mounting holes which are typified .by 56, 58, 6U and 62 in Figure 3 and 54 in Figure 6. 'Ihese holes are somewhat elongated to avoid the necessity for great accuracy in punching the shelves and are disposed symmetrically on a circular arc having the hole 52 as a center.

The tray members, such as 24, are mounted on the brackets 30 by passing bolts such as 6 through the holes 52 and 54 in the bracket 3G and through corresponding holes 56 and 58 in the flanged end portions 'i0 of the tray 25, as shown in detail in Figure 6. The bolts G4 may be provided with cap nuts l2.

In addition to the pair of holes 65 and. 68, the flanged portions lil of the tray 2d and the corresponding flanged portions 'M of the shelves, such as 26 and 23, may also have other pairs of holes such as 16 and 78 spaced on the same centers as the holes 52 and 5d. It will be seen that by selecting the desired pair of holes in the flange 7i) or 'M for mounting a given tray or shelf at the time the fixture is assembled, the front to back location of the shelf can be selected as desired. For example, the shelf 28 may by this means be caused to project somewhat further forward than the shelf 25 above it. Such an arrangement has been shown in Figure 2. The amount of projection may be varied according to the location of the xture in the store, or the type of goods displayed, or any other requirement which may effect vthe desirability of exposing goods on the lower shelf to view.

It is also desirable, in many cases, to have the inclination of a shelf, or particularly of a cake tray such as 22 or 24, adjustable, and to facilitate such adjustment my provision of the holes 54, 55, 58, 60 and E2 becomes very useful. It is obvious Vthat the bolt @Si can be passed through the hole 68 in the fiange li! of the tray 24 and any one of the holes 54, 55, 53, 6|! or 62,L thus fastening the tray at any desired angle of inclination. It will be plain, then,` that any one of the shelves may be adjusted independently of the others, either as to angle of inclination, as to front to back location, or as to vertical height.

Shelves Vmay be provided in various front to back depths and in different styles, as will be seen b-ycomparing the trays 22 and 24 and the shelf 25. Asl have shown them, the shelves 25 and 23 are of the same depth, but of course different depths can be interchangeably provided. Shelves of allthese types can be interchanged at any level onthe rack because they are all provided with end flanges 1G, and 'lll having perforations spaced on the centers required for corresponding with the holes 52 and 54.

As'previously pointed out, my rack is especially adapted for the display of bakery goods, and the trays 22 and `243 are designed especially for holding cakes and similar specialties,Y whereas the shelvessuch as 25 and 28 are more suitable for displaying bread in the conventional loaf form. In fthe latter case the loaves are often stood on end, and some sort of railing or other protective arrangement is desirable to keep them from falling out of position. To meet this need, I have provided on my display stand a cross member 80 which may be formed of sheet metal inV channel shape to give the necessary longitudinal stiffness. This cross member is supported at each end by a generally U-shaped rail 82, the ends of which are attached to the cross member 8S in any suitable manner.

In Figure '7 I have shown an enlarged elevation of the clamp means whereby the rail 32 is attached to the supporting post I0. I provide two clamp members 8s which may be formed of sheet metal substantially in a U-shape, having a long side SB and a short side 88, as will be seen in Figure 9. Each member 84 has a slot 90 along the bend of the U and through the slots 90 in the two members 22 I pass a bolt 92 having an oval head 92 and a square portion 95 immediately under the head S, which engages the sides of the slot 9E! and prevents rotation of the bolt 92 relative to the clamp members Si! when the nutI S8 is screwed onto the bolt. A lock washer H10 may be provided under the nut 98 if desired. It will be observed that the portion 83 of the clamp members 84 are slanted with relation to the axis of the bolt 92 so that when the bolt is drawn up the long -sides 86 will be drawn more closely toward the post IQ. The rail 32 will then be clamped securely under the extended portions E22 (Figure 8) of the clamp members 84. When the nut 93 is loosened on the bolt 92, the rail 82 may be slid through the clamps from front to back to any desired position and the clamps 82 may be adjusted vertically on the posts IG to any desired location, which will generally be selected conformably to the shelf immediately below, as is shown in Figure 2.

The elongation of the slot 953 permits one of the clamps 843 to be slid vertically along the post li] with respect to the other clamp. This allows the rail 82 to be inclined, as may be desired when the .shelf below is inclined. Such an arrangement is frequently used on lower shelves, both for better exposure of the merchandise and for keeping it in place more satisfactorily.

The arrangement thus provided constitutes a railing on both sides and back of the shelf so that loaves of bread placed on end on the shelf will be held in neat order but will still be largely exposed to View. The trade names, etc., will not be covered up and the benefit of the display value of the wrapper designs will be largely retained.

The various elements of my display x-ture 'are adapted to production by relatively simple and inexpensive manufacturing methods employing sheet, tube, rod and strip stock. It will readily be observed that the entire rack, when disassembled, can be shipped fiat in a relatively small space, which makes for economy in packing and shipping costs.

Setting up the fixture is a very simple process which involves only four principal steps: (l) The assembly of the posts It, feet I8 and spacer 253 by means of the bolts IEM (Fig. 2) (2) mounting the brackets 3d on the posts by means of the clamp plates 36, the bolts l2 and cap nuts 8; only one bolt is necessary for each bracket; (3) mounting the shelves on the brackets-a procedure which requires only four bolts for each shelf; (4) mounting the bread rails 32, which requires only one bolt at each end.

The fixture when assembled presents a strik ingly neat and clean-cut appearance and, as above described, it is readily adaptable for use in various circumstances by provision of the desired type and size of shelf at each level and by assembling each shelf with a front to back projection and inclination most suitable for the type of display intended. The shelves can be made in various standard lengths and the only change necessary in the support structure is the provision of a cross member 2i] of proper length.

I preferably form the shelves, particularly the upper shelves or trays 22 and 24, with a projecting lip such as |96 and |08 in Figure 2, which may carry an advertising plate bearing any suitable commercial message, as may be seen in Figure 1.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the cons-truction of my invention together with illustrations which I consider to represent the best embodiments thereof. I desire that it be understood, however, that the structure disclosed is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means and by the use of mechanical equivalents such as come within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In means for mounting a shelf on a vertical support member having a central rib and a side flange, a bracket engaged with said support, a clamp plate coacting with said bracket, tensioning means for drawing said clamp plate into close relation to said bracket, an end portion on said bracket extending along one of the side flanges of said support member and formed to engage the inside of the rib of said support member, said clamp plate engaging the opposite face of said support member, means on said bracket bearing against one edge of said clamp plate and limiting movement thereof away from said support member, an opening in said bracket, tie means extending therethrough for connection with a shelf, and a plurality of perforations in said bracket, disposed along the arc of a circle having said opening as a center.

2. In means for mounting a shelf on a vertical support member having an angle flange, a bracket having one face engageable with the outside of said flange, a hooked end on said bracket adapted to extend around the vertex of the angle, a clamp member coacting with said bracket and having one end engageable with the inside of the flange, a downturned end on said clamp member engaging said bracket, lugs on said bracket bearing against said downturned end of said clamp member to preventJ movement thereof away from the support member, tie means extending through said bracket and said clamp member, and means for connecting a shelf with said bracket.

3. In means for mounting a shelf on a vertical support member, a bracket having a hooked end engageable with one side of the support member, a clamp plate coacting with said bracket and adapted to engage the opposite side of the support member, tie means passing through said clamp member and through said bracket, and upstruck portions in said bracket engaging one edge of said clamp member, limiting movement of said clamp member relative to said bracket member in a direction away from said support member.

4. In means for mounting a shelf on a vertical support member, a bracket having one end engageable with the support member, a clamp plate adapted to retain said bracket in engagement with said supportl member, an opening in said bracket, tie means extending therethrough for connection with a shelf, and a plurality of perforations in said bracket, said perforations being disposed along the arc of a circle having said, opening as a center.

ERNEST R. ERICKSON. 

